THE ROLE OF FARMERS IN EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE EMPOWERMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE FARMERS GROUP: A CASE STUDY AT NGANTRU VILLAGE OF EAST JAVA PROVINCE, INDONESIA

Abstract

Empowerment is the process of, by and for the community, where people are accompanied or facilitated in making decisions and taking their own initiative so that they are more independent in developing and improving their living standard. This study uses a qualitative approach that aims to determine the characteristics role of farmers in an effort to improve the empowerment of groups of dairy farmers. The snowball sampling technique is a method for identifying, selecting and taking samples in a network or a continuous chain of relationships. The research uses three research approaches, namely, observation, in-depth interviews, literature studies (document analysis) as a triangulation process. The research findings show that farmers who have cattle <5 tails still use conventional farming systems. The number of cattle ownership plays an important role in the group empowerment process. This is related to the existing social inequalities. Generally farmers who have a small number of cattle have different perceptions of thinking in the process of adopting the innovation and in community relations. Farmers who join the groups' are the farmers with an education level of elementary school graduates and the majority of men who already married. This happens because the role of men after becoming head of the family is to control all activities that are outside the home, while women control activities that are inside the house. Character differences related to age, length of cattle raising, number of cattle, gender, and education level lead to differences in the mindset that will influence the decision-making process and adoption of technological innovations.